India equity benchmarks to open higher as GDP data tops forecast

India’s equity benchmarks may open higher on Monday as stronger-than-expected economic growth in the quarter through September is expected to boost investor sentiment.

Gift Nifty futures were trading at 26,509.5, as of 07:45 a.m. IST, indicating that the Nifty 50 could open above the previous session’s close of 26,202.95.

India’s economy grew 8.2% in July-September against a forecast of 7.3% in a Reuters poll and 7.8% in the previous quarter, data released on Friday showed. Growth was supported by robust consumer spending and front-loading of production before local festivals.

Barclays raised its financial year 2025-26 growth forecast for India to 7.2% from 6.8% following the better-than-expected data and strong momentum in the ongoing December quarter.

Though the stronger-than-expected GDP print provides a meaningful sentiment boost for investors, the market still faces headwinds from foreign outflows and a weak rupee, said Ponmudi R, chief executive officer of Enrich Money.

Foreign investors sold Indian shares worth 37.96 billion rupees ($424.84 million) on Friday, as per provisional data. They ended November as net sellers, marking a fourth month of selling in five.

India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex still rose for a third consecutive month in November, helped by domestic flows into equities, improving earnings and expectations of domestic and U.S. rate cuts.

The benchmark indexes hit record highs last Thursday after 14 months, before pulling back marginally on Friday.